Republicans Jim Paul, the incumbent, as well as Ronnie Arnold and Alan Scott, pre-filed for the race but later withdrew. As no other Republican candidates qualified, Malcolm Thomas advanced by default to the general election.

As the only candidates to qualify were Republican, this race was a "universal primary" in which voters of all party affiliations were entitled to vote, and the winner of the race was elected without the need to run in the general election.

As the only candidates to qualify were Republican, this race was a "universal primary" in which voters of all party affiliations were entitled to vote, and the winner of the race was elected without the need to run in the general election.

Escambia County School Board seats are non-partisan and unlike other nonpartisan offices are contested at the time of the partisan primaries. In the event that no candidate in a School Board race does not receive a majority of votes cast, the top two candidates proceed to a run-off contested at the time of the general election.